Mail receptor assembly

ABSTRACT

The instant invention involves an adjustable mail receptor assembly essentially comprising two slidably connected sections wherein one section includes an opening adapted to receive mail. The sections are connected by channel means integral therewith whereby the width of the entire assembly can be varied. The receptor is put in place by raising the lower window, placing the receptor in place on the lower window frame and dropping the lower window until it rests on the receptor.

United States Patent 72 Josephine Helen Wittekind 13810 S. Vermont 81., Gardena, Calif. 90247 [21] Appl. No. 806,549 [22] Filed Mar. 12, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [54] MAIL RECEPTOR ASSEMBLY 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

521 US. Cl. 232/1, 49/55, 232/19, 232/45 [51] Int. Cl A47h 33/00 [50] Field ofSearch 232/47, 44, 45, 46, 22, 27, 19, 47,1, 434,1; 160/228, 227, 226, 222, 180, 179; 49/55 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 192,200 6/1877 Underwood 160/228 484,418 10/1892 Gabriel 160/226 Inventor 651,165 6/1900 Gunn 232/22 794,251 7/1905 Reese.... 49/55 1,020,194 3/1912 Field 232/46 1,479,239 1/1924 Howell 232/19 2,137,924 11/1938 Schickedanz..... 49/55 2,427,039 9/1947 Arnett 232/19 2,829,820 4/1958 Evers 232/19 2,991,843 7/1961 Bell 160/222 Primary ExaminerFrancis K. Zugel Attorney-John J Posta, Jr.

l PATENTEDHAR 219m 3,567,112

INVENTOR JOSEPHINE HELEN WITTEKIND FIG.2

ATTO NEY I MAIL RECEPTOR ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to thelart of mail receptor devices as opposed to mailboxes perse. Mailboxes are generally con structed to be free standing devices generally located outside a residence at curbside. They are adapted to receive and hold mail in a dry environment until the homeowner opens the mailbox and retrieves the mail. The present invention is not a mailbox per se, but rather a receptor assembly for receiving mail. In many locations of the country, mail is delivered directly to the residence of the addressee by a mailman who hands it to the resident personally. In these locations, no outdoor mailbox is provided. If no party answers the door when the mailman comes, the mail must be taken back to the post office to await delivery at a later date.

To avoid return of mail to the post office in these situations, some people have provided mail slots in the front door of their homes. If the mailman finds no one 'at home when the mail is delivered, he passes the mail through the mail slot in the door, thereby depositing the mail indoors in a dry environment and avoiding returning the mail to the post office. However, some homes do not have a mail slot in their doors, and the owners do not want a slot placed in their doors for esthetic or other reasons. Applicants invention provides a device which enables the mailman to deposite the mail indoors without passing same through a mail slot in the door.

It is also a well known fact that todays society is very mobil in nature, in that families move from one location to another quite frequently. Applicants invention provides a mail receptor assembly which is not an integral part of the residence (as is a door mail slot) and accordingly can readily be removed to a new location with ease. 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a novel mail receptor assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mail receptor assembly adapted to be removably mounted in a window frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mail receptor assembly which is readily adjustable to fit various window frame sizes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mail receptor assembly which is of simple manufacture and can be located in place by a layman without the requirement of any special tools, nails or other extraneous mounting and fastening means.

The invention generally comprises a mail receptor assembly designed along the lines of a conventional window screen and includes two panel members slidably connected together. One panel has an opening therein adapted to receive mail therethrough. When in an inoperative position, the panels are slid into an overlapping relationship, thereby enabling ease of storage and transport. The assembly is placed in use by raising the lower window, extending the panels outwardly to fit the particular window size, and dropping the lower window until it abuts the upper surface of the mail receptor assembly. The assembly is now ready for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the mail receptor assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mail receptor assembly taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the mail receptor assembly in a fully extended position.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the mail receptor assembly in a partially extended position.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the mail receptor assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention is directed to a mail receptor assembly adapted to be placed in a window frame,

With reference to FIG. I, a first flat panel 1 is provided. An upper channel member 3,. a lower channel member 5 and an end closure member 7 serve to enclose panel I and maintain it in place.

A second panel 2 is provided and has an opening 9 provided therein. An upper channel member 4, a lower channel member 6 and an end closure member 8 serve to enclose panel 2 and maintain it in place.

Channel members 3 and 5 are complimentary to channel members 4 and 6. In the assembled position, channel member 4 is nested within channel member 3 and is slidable thereon. Likewise, channel member 6 is nested within channel member 4 and is slidable thereon.

A hood 10 is suitably attached to panel 10 and extends outwardly above opening 9. A flap ll'is pivotally connected by suitable hinging mechanism 12 to the back of panel 2 to close off opening 9. If desired, flap 11 can be biased in a closed position by suitable spring means (not shown). The flap 11 and hinging mechanism 12 is mounted within a recess 13 formed in the back of panel 2, thereby enabling panel 2 to completely overlap panel 1.

When not in an operative position, panel 2 can be moved to overlap panel I either partially as shown in FIG. 4 or completely. When in operative relationship, the assembly is substantially fully extended with the amount of the extension being dependent upon the particular width of the window frame into which the receptor assembly is placed.

The hood I0 is provided to prevent rain or snow from falling through the opening 9 into the residence. The flap II is pro vided to prevent cold air from passing through opening 9 into the residence.

The panels 1 and 2 can be made of any suitable rigid material, but fiberglass construction is preferred because of its rigidity and low relative weight. It should be noted that the upper channel member 3, end closure member 7 and lower channel member 5 can be fabricated from a single, integral continuous aluminum extrusion, if desired, and bent into the proper form.

Likewise, the mating upper channel member 4, end closure I member 8 and mating lower channel member 6 can also be fabricated from a single, integral continuous aluminum extrusion in like fashion.

The embodiments of the invention shown he ein are meant to illustrate only a few of the embodiments obtainable by use of the invention. Obviously related attachments can be utilized with the invention. Any type of well-known locking devices can be attached to the receptor assembly on the side facing the interior of the residence to lock the assembly in place. Additionally, suitable window locks can be provided to maintain the window in a fixed, partiallyopen position. This set of locks would accordingly serve to prevent an opening of the window and mail receptor assembly from the outside to gain unauthorized entry into the residence.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. For example, the panels can be made of materials other than fiberglass, and the complimentary channel members can be replaced by other well-known slidable connecting devices and made from materials other than aluminum without departing from the scope of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency are intended to be embraced therein.

Iclaim:

1. An adjustable mail receptor assembly adapted to be placed in a window frame including:

a first rigid panel;

a second rigid panel having an opening therein adapted to receive mail;

connecting means for slideably attaching said first panel to said second panel in an overlapping relationship;

a hinged flap attached to the backside of the second panel at the upper part of said opening which serves to completely close off said opening; wherein the flap is mounted so as not to ordinarily extend outwardly from the backside of the second panel and does not interfere with the relative movement of said first panel with respect to said second panel; and

said connection means including a first upper channel member, a first lower channel member, and a first end frame member all enclosing said first rigid panel, and a second upper channel member, a second lower channel member and a second end frame member, all enclosing said second panel, said second upper channel member being complimentary to and nested within said first upper channel member, and said second lower channel member being complimentary to and nested within said first lower channel member, whereby said second panel can be moved so as to partially or completely overlap said first panel. 2. A mail receptor assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said channel end members are made of. extruded aluminum and said panels are made of fiberglass. 

1. An adjustable mail receptor assembly adapted to be placed in a window frame including: a first rigid panel; a second rigid panel having an opening therein adapted to receive mail; connecting means for slideably attaching said first panel to said second panel in an overlapping relationship; a hinged flap attached to the backside of the second panel at the upper part of said opening which serves to completely close off said opening; wherein the flap is mounted so as not to ordinarily extend outwardly from the backside of the second panel and does not interfere with the relative movement of said first panel with respect to said second panel; and said connection means including a first upper channel member, a first lower channel member, and a first end frame member all enclosing said first rigid panel, and a second upper channel member, a second lower channel member and a second end frame member, all enclosing said second panel, said second upper channel member being complimentary to and nested within said first upper channel member, and said second lower channel member being complimentary to and nested within said first lower channel member, whereby said second panel can be moved so as to partially or completely overlap said first panel.
 2. A mail receptor assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said channel end members are made of extruded aluminum and said panels are made of fiberglass. 